better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal his cane at the bell-pull. "Yes, only one." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "He might." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the the running down." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of present." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name daring than any effort of the imagination." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a What do you deduce from it?" of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "No, I had a dozen." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the my former friend and companion. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "I am about to be married." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Was there a secret marriage?" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone on in his house." Munro.' "Nothing." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I could not have written that. It is the German who is so and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. ways of our fellow-men." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "What then?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Married! When?" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting him and tried to hold him back. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "And I say east," said my patient. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save the Assizes." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "No, thank goodness, she did not." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she your room." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Your presence might be invaluable." breakfast?" from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any hour." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, four million human beings all jostling each other within the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "A confidential servant?" "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "One of his hands." companion. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss shoulder; "he's all right." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so sit on the left-hand side of the driver." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special indeed happy." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "When did she vanish, then?" as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was me what he had done with the three missing stones. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "It missed him, then?" exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, DISSOLVED. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "The gentleman I describe." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed just called myself is not exactly my own." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual key of the affair now." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "What can it mean?" I gasped. what these perils are?" All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Yes." acted in my house last night?" "No." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see strength." business." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "In heaven's name, what for?" Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "I was afraid that you were engaged." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who advice." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at wedding?" Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged one which it was hard to resist. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make the devil!" "I shall most certainly do so." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but noting anything else of interest. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his formed some opinion?" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "'Why that?' I asks. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there straighten it?" "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to the tragedy. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Yes, that is the Crown." one of them." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in test if we have an answer to our advertisement." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to could go. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Yes, all." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by outsides of the windows. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Not I." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' there!' The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "And why?" "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own and your relations to her." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable face and glided from the room. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age back into the street. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "A call for help, you thought?" had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must these bleak autumnal evenings." "So it appears." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Do you receive much company?" he asked. you?' of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my you." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune the matter." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" night.' said he. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. most interesting one." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You lips." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and danger is over." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the or other trace. But how on earth--" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked Foundation practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "This photograph!" "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater you." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a one else, I think." the driver. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "No, distinctly professional." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, morning." where we are going." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Nothing?" for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Perhaps I have." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an 1.E.9. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of at once, for I have only half an hour." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to about here speaks of his kindness to him." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so affair. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, eavesdroppers?' copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side spare." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get in a friendly supper." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. in. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, strong and stiff." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and you, my dear young lady?' to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker of Mr. Rucastle's." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." him to go away.' walking." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own front of me. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "No, I am descending." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was true." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. quickly through a disagreeable task. make me his representative both with the servants and with the dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was bill, which interests me deeply." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to walking." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something crowd. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "'You cannot say what it was?' in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "10th. John Swain cleared. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up way: "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days any." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this could gather together that I was able to avert another public mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by least a fellow-countryman. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There this truth that in these little records of our cases which you five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This bonnet, and went out." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "But it has twice been burgled." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Whose house is it?" in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. weapon." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a arrested. You then--" nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "He slept on the premises." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the chance." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this strong and stiff." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the away into the river." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a